A few quick-hit notes following Liberty’s dramatic, 42-41, win over Indiana State:

  • That was quite likely the most dramatic final minute of any game I’ve ever seen. I know it’s just a few minutes after the game is over, but it’s hard to think of another game with such a wild swing of emotions in such a short span of time. We went from thinking Liberty won the game by getting a turnover on downs at midfield, to Indiana State getting that play over, to the Sycamores driving all the way inside the 10 to attempt a game winning 23 yard field goal. Then, of course, the block that seals Liberty’s win. Crazy.
  • As for that 4th down play, if you follow us on twitter (@ASeaofRed), you noticed we tweeted that Liberty got a turnover on downs and was going to win the game. It was several moments after the pass fell incomplete that the officials were saying Liberty had called a timeout before the ball was snapped. If you weren’t watching the game, you need to go back and watch it. Then, there was an inexhaustibly long review by the officials to determine the correct time on the clock.
  • How about that blocked kick? Corbin Jackson got his hand on the ball to secure the win, but he credited the defensive line for getting a huge push on the play. The snap on the field goal was also low aiding to the block. Turner Gill sure does like the blocked field goals, doesn’t he?
  • In a game that was dominated by both offenses that combined for 83 total points and 1,043 total yards, the teams’ offenses came to a screeching halt in the 4th quarter. Both squads combined for 137 yards of offense in the final 15 minutes and only 3 points which occurred with over 11 minutes left in the game.
  • Liberty’s offense continues to put up monstrous numbers as they have now scored 148 points in the first 3 ball games, and has had at least 500 yards of offense in each game. Buckshot has spearheaded that attack. He had another huge game, throwing for 379 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’s on pace to completely shatter all of Liberty’s single season school records for passing.
  • The Flames’ defense had its trouble slowing down an offense that had 27 combined points in their first 2 ball games. Several huge plays led to lots of yardage and points for the Sycamores.  Indiana State’s Bob Pugh finished the game with an astonishing 260 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns.
  • Liberty went 108 minutes and 54 seconds of game action without trailing. Indiana State put a stop to that with their first drive of the 3rd quarter, as they took a 31-28 lead. It was the Flames’ first time trailing in a game since the final minutes of the 3rd quarter of the Baylor game.
  • With the win, Liberty moves to 3-0 on the start of the season for the first time since 2008 when Liberty started 6-0 before finishing 10-2 on a team led by Rashad Jennings.
  • Entering the game Liberty was just 4-12 all-time against Missouri Valley Football Conference opponents and had never beaten an MVFC foe at Williams Stadium. The team’s last win over an MVFC foe was a 31-28 victory at Youngstown State on September 27, 2008.
  • Much more on this game and the huge showdown next week with #5 Jacksonville State to come, but, for now, let’s just enjoy this win and being 3-0.